Improvement in fruit-crates



S. HUGHES.

FRUIT-CRATE.

IIIJJ.

ZZ v? WITNESSES orneys.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

' SAMUEL HUGHES, OE CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA, ASSIGNOE To" DUNBAR J. PAUL AND STEPHEN E. WELCH, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPRovEMENT IN FRUIT-CRATES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. [75,464, dated March Q8, 1876; application tiled August 25, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL HUGHES of the city and county of Charleston and State of South Carolina, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in vFruit Crates Or Boxes; and I do hereby delare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description OF the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification. l

My invention relates to that class of fruitcrates which are used in transporting baskets ot' such fruits as berries Or other 'similar fruits, which require to be securely packed and at the same time well ventilated. In Order to accomplish this, I construct the crates of strips of material which are so arranged in relation to each other that there shall be a wide space between them for ventilation around the middle portion of the contained baskets and at the same time prevent the shifting of the said baskets within the crate.

My invention further relates to devices by which the cover of the said crate is hinged and latched to the body ofthe crate. Also in the peculiar arrangement of the corner and middle strips, which extend above the top of the crate to form a socket or seat i'Or the said cover; and, furthermore, to devices by which the bottom of the crate isventilated.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a 4front elevation ot' my improved crate, and

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same. 3 is a detached view Ot' the hinge.

A A are the horizontal strips, of any suitable material, extending across the trout of the crate, and also in the same position at the back. B B are similar strips extending across the ends ot' the crate, both ends thereof being alike. C C are vertical strips, to which the horizontal strips are firmly secured. D is a vertical strip `on the middle of the front and also rear ot' the crate. These strips are put on to brace and strengthen the middle portion of crate. E is the staple or portion of the catch secured to the front strip. E is the hasp or catch secured to the cover of the crate. F are the hinges, secured to the cover Fig.

A and end rear vertical strips C C. G G are strips secured transversely across the bottom of the crate. The strips C at the ends of the heads and sides are united together, forming a tight, strong corner. H are the baskets placed in layers,l separated by a movable platform 0r partition, I. The top ends cf the vertical strips C and I) project slightly above the top of the top Slat A of the crate, and the lid A is made to fit down into this recess formed by these projecting strips.

'.The hinges and lock, as shown in detail, Fig. 3, are made of two end metallic plates, and an intermediate elastic strap, b. Thus the lid is securely held down in place by the spring of the hinges and locks.

By the provision ot' the bottom strip, Gr, the box is prevented from direct contact at bottom, and ventilation thereby secured. The vertical slats being united at the corners, a tight, strong corner is secured.

By thus constructing and arranging the parts, a simple, cheap, and well-ventilated fruit box or crate is secured, and one wherein fruit may be safely and securely transported Without injury thereto. Y

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

,l. The fruit-erate composed of' horizontal end and side strips A B,`vertical central strips D, and end strips C, placed and secured On the outside Ot'. the horizontal strips and united or brought together to form a solid corner, transverse bottom strips G, and lid-A', fitting down within. the projecting edges thereof, all constructed and united as and for the purposes described.

2L In combination with the box or crate A B and lid A', tting down within the projecting edges thereof, the hinge and catch E F, constructed as shown, of end metallic plates a, and intermediate elastic strips Or straps b, for holding the lid down into its seat, as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 24th day of August, 1875.

, SAMUEL HUGHES. Witnesses:

THOMAS B. MALL, E. I. NOTTINGHAM. 

